In the 1960s, Latin American literature became known worldwide as never before. Writers such as Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Carlos Fuentes, Pablo Neruda, Octavio Paz, and Mario Vargas Llosa all became part of the general culture of educated readers of English, French, German, and Italian. But few know about the literary tradition from which these writers emerged. This Very Short Introduction remedies this situation, providing an overview of modern Latin American literature from the late eighteenth century to the present. Roberto Gonzalez Echevarria covers a wide range of topics, discussing the birth of Modernismo, the first Latin American literary movement; how the end of World War I and the Mexican Revolution produced the avant-garde; and how the Cuban Revolution sparked a movement in the novel that came to be known as the Boom. Within this narrative, the author covers many of the major writers of Latin American literature, from Andres Bello and Jose Maria de Heredia through Borges and Garcia Marquez to Fernando Vallejo and Roberto Bolano. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
About the AuthorRoberto Gonzalez Echevarria is the Sterling Professor of Hispanic and Comparative Literature at Yale University and the author of many books on Spanish, Latin American, and comparative literature. He was awarded the 2010 National Humanities Medal by the President of the United States.
Reviews"Insightful and often eloquent, this is a superb introduction to major figures and trends in modern Latin American literature by the leading authority in the field."--Gustavo Perez Firmat, David Feinson Professor in the Humanities, Columbia University
Book InformationISBN 9780199754915
Author Roberto Gonzalez EchevarriaFormat Paperback
Page Count 152
Imprint Oxford University Press IncPublisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 120g
Dimensions(mm) 173mm * 115mm * 10mm